For many, public speaking causes anxiety and fear akin to a phobia. However, public speaking is an important tool in business. From large events in which the speaker is on stage in front of hundreds to one-on-one presentations, the various scenarios can cause the same level of fear for the person who has to present. So, how does one tackle their fear and overcome it?

The first key to overcoming your fear is to know your subject matter. When you're presenting on a topic, you'll increase your confidence if you're well versed on the subject. The rule of thumb for a good presentation is that it takes 90 hours of preparation for one 60 minutes presentation. That may seem like a lot, but once you've spent that much time on your material, you'll know it inside and out.

Another key tip is to practice your presentations. Find a friend or two whom you're comfortable speaking to and present your material to them. Ask for feedback and make sure to listen to their critiques. Their advice will help you be better prepared for the real thing.

Finally, involve your audience in your presentation. Not only will it be more memorable for the listeners, but asking questions and expecting a response will take the focus off of you and allow you to compose yourself while the room is focused on the new speaker. You'll also feel more relaxed if others are engaged, as it will create a conversation that allows you to focus on someone else instead of your own performance.

If you're still nervous about the idea of public speaking, research local groups or community classes that focus on overcoming your fear of public speaking. Your local library may also be a good source for material on conquering your fears. Once you've mastered your anxiety, you'll be better able to give effective, memorable presentations.

Additional Reading:

In the Spotlight: Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing by Janet Esposito

“I’m definitely going to take a course on time management… just as soon as I can work it into my schedule.” – Louis E. Boone, author of Contemporary Business

There’s a lot of discussion about time management and how to utilize time more effectively. If you look at the market, there are a number of books, courses, workshops, even apps for your phone designed to help you make the most of your available time.

Despite these things, many of us still find ourselves wondering at the end of each day just what exactly we did all day.

Brian Tracy, author of more than 60 books on sales, management, and business success, recommends starting your day with your most dreaded project first, or by “eating your frog” as he calls it, so that you don’t worry about the dreaded task all day (which takes your focus from other things). He also explains that most of us “confuse activity with accomplishment.” You may spend your day tackling a job that requires a lot of time, but doesn’t achieve real results. Organizing your desktop or cataloging your notes takes time, but what will you actually gain from devoting your day to such activities?

While “eating the frog” is one way of tackling your day, what if you’re most dreaded task isn’t your highest priority? Another suggestion for successful time management is to order your day from high priority to low. What are the tasks that need immediate attention and which are the ones that can wait a few more hours? The trick is to know how to identify your priorities and not be afraid to put off those that can wait. A pressing need from your boss might be more important than responding to a customer who hasn’t yet waited 2 hours for a reply to a non-urgent question.

​The goal of successfully organizing your day is higher productivity and less stress - two things many of us are desperate to achieve each day.

Additional Reading:

Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy